Rachel Goode – The Diamond Ring (2024)
More than soulful eyes, a charming smile and a delightful voice, singer-songwriter Rachel Goode oozes elegance and sophistication with infectious beauty. A trained soprano, the Irish musician presents an innovative blend of classical, folk, blues and a touch of Americana with her eclectic melodies. Along with international acclaim for her music, Goode has a reputation for engaging, moving, powerful performances across Ireland and the UK, earned television success representing the West of Ireland on The All Ireland Talent Show, and was a finalist in the 2022 Eurosong competition on The Late Late Show. This is my introduction to Rachel Goode, so join me as I delve into her most recent release, ‘The Diamond Ring’.
While Goode’s previous singles ‘Kegs of Brandy’ and ‘Blue Kentucky Blues’ flutter with country tones, ‘The Diamond Ring’ taps deeper into her Irish roots with a traditional Celtic folk style. Toe-tapping and infectious, one can imagine people dancing about as the players strum along with tenderness and fun-filled charm.
Joined by legendary artist Máirtin O’Connor on button accordion, ‘The Diamond Ring’ is the epitome of vintage folklore blended through those songs your parents sing from “the days long gone”. Yet, just as the track shimmers with vintage intensity, a hit of modern-day folk lies beneath Goode’s clear vocals.
Taking a quick gander at Goode’s discography, I find one aspect staring from each track – the feeling behind the song. Instead of merely playing a song according to a certain style, Goode immerses you in a swirl of music with each note in each tune. Combining a poem from the Wilfred Ireland Childe Collection with music by Donald Shaw, ‘The Diamond Ring’ is profound, eclectic and digs into the undergrowth of raw Irish-ness. Moreover, the track has a strong live session sensation transcending any recorded production.
So, overall, what is my opinion of ‘The Diamond Ring’? Fascinating, intriguing and filled with the weightiness of a powerful band while retaining tender light-heartedness.
Find out more about Rachel Goode on her official website, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
Discover more folk melodies on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
